Single-shot X-ray stereo imaging based on dual polycapillary parallel X-ray lenses.

Traditional X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT) generally requires thousands of projections for reconstruction, resulting in long acquisition times that limit its applicability in scenarios demanding rapid acquisition of 3D information. In this work, computer stereo vision technology was applied to X-ray imaging, and a single-shot 3D stereo imaging method based on dual polycapillary parallel X-ray lenses (PPXRLs) was proposed using a laboratory X-ray source. Two PPXRLs were used to generate two quasi-parallel beams, which were then Bragg reflected by two SiC crystals.

CaYIIIS (III = Ga, In): Two Olivine-Type Compounds Exhibiting Exceptional Birefringence Properties.

Birefringent crystals capable of modulating light polarization represent a frontier of the current research. While numerous oxide crystals are well-established for UV and visible applications, their counterparts operating effectively in the infrared spectral region remain scarce. Here, two novel olivine-type sulfides, CaYIIIS (III = Ga, In), have been successfully synthesized, crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group.

Bacterial K-strategists playing pivotal roles in degrading alkanes, upholding system stability and regulating microbial diversity in natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted sediment of Laizhou Bay.

Natural attenuation represents a pivotal process in the management of oil spills within marine ecosystems, one of which is to monitor bioprocess that is inseparable from microbial action. However, the behaviors of microorganism with different survival strategies under petroleum contamination remain largely unexplored in gulf environments. Herein, ecological and evolutionary characteristics of K- and r-strategist were comprehensively investigated in diesel-polluted sediment from Laizhou Bay via molecular sequencing and physicochemical experiments.

Acetylated yeast mannan endowing biomimetic electrospun nanofibers with hydrophobicity and moisturizing property for accelerated cutaneous defects repair.

Mammalian skin is composed of hydrophobic polymers such as proteins, polysaccharide and oily matrices, serving as a crucial barrier to prevent adverse factors from rapidly infiltrating the body while also functioning as a key organ for material exchange. However, open wounds resulting from skin defects can disrupt the internal stability of the body's environment, leading to water loss and delaying the wound healing process. Mannan is believed to synergize with natural moisturizing factors (NMF).

Quenching Sensitivity Study of New High-Strength Aluminum Alloys Based on an Immersion End-Quenching and Step-Quenching Technique.

Based on end-quenching and step-quenching experiments combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the quench sensitivity of a novel high-strength aluminum alloy was investigated and compared with that of GB/T 7075 and 7175 alloys; quench factor analysis (QFA) was employed to predict the hardness values of the alloy and investigate the effect of quenching rate on its mechanical properties. The experimental results indicate that when the cooling rate decreases from 402.5 °C/s to 3.

Exosome microsphere/nano silver loaded injectable antibacterial hydrogel augments anti-infection and healing for scald wound.

Infectious scald is recognized as a life-threatening concern in clinical due to easy infection and hard recovery. Exosomes possess cell migration, proliferation and angiogenesis under the containing rich growths factors, which may be a possibility for the treatment of scald chronic wounds. However, the instability and release issues of exosomes limits the storage and therapeutic efficacy.

Novel insights into quorum-sensing microbe combined with dimethylsulfoniopropionate enhancing bioremediation of oil-contaminated sediment under typical deep-sea conditions: The performances and molecular mechanisms.

The deep-sea environment poses significant metabolic challenges to microorganisms, rendering the bioremediation of oil pollution even more formidable. Quorum sensing (QS) signals are known to assist microbiota in maintaining their function and stability under toxic contaminants. Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an ideal cryoprotectant and stress protectant, enhancing microbial resilience in extreme environments.

Self-measurement and calibration of amplitude-frequency response for coherent optical transmitters with limited DAC resolution.

Precise measurement and calibration of the amplitude-frequency response (AFR) of coherent optical transmitters (Tx) are paramount for generating high-quality signals, especially when the transmitter has insufficient bandwidth. The previously proposed self-measurement and calibration (SMC) method based on multi-tone signals (MTS) is cost-effective, fast, and convenient. However, this method exhibits a compromised AFR measurement precision in high-frequency regions, especially when the digital-to-analog converters (DAC) of the Tx have a limited resolution.

Extract-Loaded Hybrid Nanostructured Scaffolds Incorporating a Temperature-Sensitive Polymer for Mechanically Assisted Wound Healing.

: (commonly known as thistle) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with significant therapeutic potential, exhibiting hemostatic, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. Electrospinning offers a versatile platform for fabricating nanoscale scaffolds with tunable functionality, making them ideal for drug delivery and tissue engineering. : In this study, a bioactive extract from thistle was obtained and incorporated into a thermosensitive triblock copolymer (PNNS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) to develop a multifunctional nanofibrous scaffold for enhanced wound healing.

New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma remains one of the leading contributors to global cancer mortality, frequently stemming from chronic liver conditions, such as viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcohol-induced cirrhosis. While antiviral treatments have made significant strides, the rising prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma linked to non-infectious causes underscores the pressing demand for more effective diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. Advances in imaging and liquid biopsy technologies have facilitated early detection and diagnosis, and treatment strategies are diversifying to include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and interventional therapies.

Surface Amorphization of Bismuth for Efficient Acidic CO Electrolysis.

The electrochemical conversion of CO into valuable chemicals under acidic conditions provides a promising solution to challenges, such as carbon loss and catalyst instability caused by carbonate precipitation. However, acidic CO electroreduction remains severely constrained by intense competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and sluggish CO activation kinetics. Here, we report a bismuth (Bi) nanoparticle catalyst with an amorphous surface layer (-Bi), which demonstrates high catalytic activity and selectivity toward formic acid (HCOOH) formation in acidic electrolytes.

Sustainable and cost-efficient hydrogen production using platinum clusters at minimal loading.

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis stands as a promising technology for sustainable hydrogen production, although its viability hinges on minimizing platinum (Pt) usage without sacrificing catalytic efficiency. Central to this challenge is enhancing the intrinsic activity of Pt while ensuring the stability of the catalyst. We herein present a MoTiC MXene-supported Pt nanocluster catalyst (MoTiC-Pt) that requires a minimal Pt content (36 μg cm) to function, yet remains highly active and stable.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Response Mechanisms of Sinonovacula Constricta to Saline-Alkalinity Stresses.

The razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta) is a key species in marine aquaculture, known for its wide salinity adaptation, and potential for cultivation in saline-alkaline water. Understanding its response mechanisms is crucial for expanding its farming into these regions. This study reveals the response mechanisms of S.

Difluorocarbene-Enabled Dehydration of Primary Amides To Access Nitriles.

A cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for the direct conversion of primary amides to nitriles was developed using commercially available non-toxic ethyl bromodifluoroacetate as a difluorocarbene precursor under metal-free and ligand-free conditions. The reaction features high yields and tolerates various sensitive moieties, including alkyl, alkenyl, ether, sulfone, sulfoxide, heteroaryl, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxyl, nitro, and cyano groups, and late-stage modification of complex molecules is also feasible. Moreover, the present method is effective on large scales, showing potential for industrial application.

Activating inert non-defect sites in Bi catalysts using tensile strain engineering for highly active CO electroreduction.

Bi-defect sites are highly effective for CO reduction (CORR) to formic acid, yet most catalytic surfaces predominantly feature inert, non-defective Bi sites. To overcome this limitation, herein, tensile strain is introduced on wholescale non-defective Bi sites. Under rapid thermal shock, the Bi-based metal-organic framework (Bi-MOF-TS) shows weakened Bi-O bonds and produced tiny Bi clusters.

Tannic acid coating modification of polypropylene providing pH-responsive antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties applicable to ostomy patches.

We report highly efficient, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pH-responsive antibacterial coatings developed via direct assembly of a nature compound tannic acid (TA) with the cationic antibiotic quaternized polyethyleneimine (QPEI). The surface of polypropylene was modified with these coatings. Under acidic conditions, the coatings significantly enhanced the antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial rate reached more than 90 %.

The relationship between estimated glucose disposal rate and cognitive function in older individuals.

The estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) serves as a novel indicator of insulin resistance, which has been shown to correlate with cardiovascular disease risk; however, its relationship with cognitive function remains unclear.This article describes a cross-sectional study design based on data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The Weighted logistic regression and the restricted cubic spline were employed to examine the relationship between eGDR and cognitive ability.

Bifunctional modified bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel through sequence-dependent crosslinking towards enhanced antibacterial and cutaneous wound healing.

Chronic wounds caused by microbial infection have emerged as a major challenge on patients and medical health system. Bacterial cellulose (BC) characterized by its excellent biocompatibility and porous network, holds promise for addressing complex wound issues. However, lack of inherent antibacterial activity and cross-linking sites in the molecular network of BC have constrained its efficacy in hydrogel design and treatment of bacterial-infected wounds.

Bioinspired conductive oriented nanofiber felt with efficient ROS clearance and anti-inflammation for inducing M2 macrophage polarization and accelerating spinal cord injury repair.

Complete spinal cord injury (SCI) causes permanent locomotor, sensory and neurological dysfunctions. Targeting complex immunopathological microenvironment at SCI sites comprising inflammatory cytokines infiltration, oxidative stress and massive neuronal apoptosis, the conductive oriented nanofiber felt with efficient ROS clearance, anti-inflammatory effect and accelerating neural regeneration is constructed by step-growth addition polymerization and electrostatic spinning technique for SCI repair. The formation of innovative Fe-PDA-PAT chelate in nanofiber felt enhances hydrophilic, antioxidant, antibacterial, hemostatic and binding factor capacities, thereby regulating immune microenvironment of SCI.

Do Health Literate Older People Have Fewer Depressive Symptoms? Evidence from the Urban Areas of Western China.

Background: Previous research has indicated that health literacy has a good influence on the mental health among older adults. The current study aims to determine whether health literacy is linked to depressive symptoms in older adults in west China, and tries to detect the mechanisms underlying the linkage between health literacy and depressive symptoms in the Chinese context.

Methods: Study data were obtained from a cross-sectional ageing health literacy survey conducted in 2017 in Western China, and 812 urban individuals aged 60 and older were selected.

Scalable Electro-Biosynthesis of Ectoine from Greenhouse Gases.

Converting greenhouse gases into valuable products has become a promising approach for achieving a carbon-neutral economy and sustainable development. However, the conversion efficiency depends on the energy yield of the substrate. In this study, we developed an electro-biocatalytic system by integrating electrochemical and microbial processes to upcycle CO into a valuable product (ectoine) using renewable energy.

Temperature-responsive self-contraction nanofiber/hydrogel composite dressing facilitates the healing of diabetic-infected wounds.

Bacterial infections and long-term inflammation cause serious secondary damage to chronic diabetic wounds and hinder the wound healing processes. Currently, multifunctional hydrogels have shown promising effects in chronic wound repair. However, traditional hydrogels only keep the wound moist and protect it from bacterial infection, and cannot provide mechanical force to contract the wound edges to achieve facilitated wound closure.

Ruthenium Single-Atom Modulated Protonated Iridium Oxide for Acidic Water Oxidation in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers.

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysers promise to usher in a new era of clean energy, but they remain a formidable obstacle in designing active and durable electrocatalysts for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, a protonated iridium oxide embedded with single-atom dispersed ruthenium atoms (HIr RuO) that demonstrates exceptional activity and stability in acidic water oxidation is introduced. The single Ru dopants favorably induce localized oxygen vacancies in the Ir─O lattice, synergistically strengthening the adsorption of OOH* intermediates and enhancing the intrinsic OER activity.

Difluorocarbene-induced [1,2]- and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of tertiary amines.

The [1,2]- and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangements are one of the most fascinating chemical bond reorganization strategies in organic chemistry, and they have been demonstrated in a wide range of applications, representing a fundamental reaction tactic for the synthesis of nitrogen compounds in chemical community. However, their applicabilities are limited by the scarcity of efficient, general, and straightforward methods for generating ammonium ylides. Herein, we report a general difluorocarbene-induced tertiary amine-involved [1,2]- and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangements stemmed from in situ generated difluoromethyl ammonium ylides, which allows for the rearrangements of versatile tertiary amines bearing either allyl, benzyl, or propargyl groups, resulting in the corresponding products in one reaction under the same reaction conditions with a general way.

Selective Integrating Molecular Catalytic Units into Bipyridine-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Specific Photocatalytic Fuel Production.

Molecular metal compounds have demonstrated excellent catalytic activity and product selectivity in the H evolution reaction (HER) and the CO reduction reaction (CORR). The heterogenization of molecular catalysts is regarded as an effective approach to improve their applicability. In this work, the molecular catalytic units [Cp*Ir(Bpy)Cl] and [Ru(Bpy)(CO)Cl] are constructed in situ on the bipyridine sites of the covalent organic framework for photocatalytic HER and CORR, respectively.